U.S. patent application number 12/933094 was filed with the patent office on 2011-01-20 for dishwashing machine.
This patent application is currently assigned to BSH BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERATE GMBH. Invention is credited to Alexander Barwig, Bernd Heisele, Norbert Nassler, Anton Oblinger, Karl Wirth.
Application Number | 20110011430 12/933094 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40933306 |
Filed Date | 2011-01-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110011430 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Barwig; Alexander ; et
al. |
January 20, 2011 |
DISHWASHING MACHINE
Abstract
A dishwashing machine including a dishwasher rack that assumes
at least two different height positions; a spraying device to apply
washing liquor to items to be washed, wherein the spraying device
is assigned to the dishwasher rack; a hydraulic system to supply
the spraying device with washing liquor; and a coupling with at
least two openings to provide a liquid-conducting connection
between the hydraulic system and the spraying device at the at
least two different height positions and at at least two tilt
positions. The at least two different height positions and the at
least two tilt positions are assigned to at least one of the at
least two openings to establish the liquid-conducting
connection.
Inventors: |
Barwig; Alexander;
(Dillingen, DE) ; Heisele; Bernd; (Sontheim,
DE) ; Nassler; Norbert; (Aulendorf, DE) ;
Oblinger; Anton; (Gersthofen, DE) ; Wirth; Karl;
(Lauingen, DE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BSH HOME APPLIANCES CORPORATION;INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY DEPARTMENT
100 BOSCH BOULEVARD
NEW BERN
NC
28562
US
|
Assignee: |
BSH BOSCH UND SIEMENS HAUSGERATE
GMBH
Munich
DE
|
Family ID: |
40933306 |
Appl. No.: |
12/933094 |
Filed: |
March 27, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
March 27, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2009/053692 |
371 Date: |
September 17, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
134/198 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47L 15/508 20130101;
A47L 15/23 20130101; A47L 15/504 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
134/198 |
International
Class: |
A47L 15/42 20060101
A47L015/42 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Mar 31, 2008 |
DE |
10 2008 016 485.2 |
Claims
1-21. (canceled)
22. A dishwashing machine, comprising: a dishwasher rack that
assumes at least two different height positions; a spraying device
to apply washing liquor to items to be washed, the spraying device
being assigned to the dishwasher rack; a hydraulic system to supply
the spraying device with the washing liquor; and a coupling with at
least two openings to provide a liquid-conducting connection
between the hydraulic system and the spraying device at the at
least two different height positions and at at least two tilt
positions; wherein one of the at least two different height
positions and the at least two tilt positions are assigned to at
least one of the at least two openings to establish the
liquid-conducting connection.
23. The dishwashing machine of claim 22, wherein the coupling has
three openings, wherein each of the three openings is assigned to a
respective one of the three height positions.
24. The dishwashing machine of claim 23, wherein tilt positions are
assigned to the at least two openings.
25. The dishwashing machine of claim 24, wherein an uneven number
of the tilt positions is assigned to the at least two openings.
26. The dishwashing machine of claim 25, wherein a ratio of the
number of the tilt positions is one to two.
27. The dishwashing machine of claim 22, wherein the hydraulic
system has a dishwashing-machine-side connector disposed on a rear
wall of a washing compartment of the dishwashing machine, and
wherein the rear wall faces an opening of the washing
compartment.
28. The dishwashing machine of claim 22, wherein the hydraulic
system has a dishwashing-machine-side connector which is one of:
disposed on a side wall connecting a compartment opening and a rear
wall facing the compartment opening; and disposed in a region
between the rear wall and the side wall of a washing compartment of
the dishwashing machine.
29. The dishwashing machine of claim 27, wherein the
dishwashing-machine-side connector is substantially centrally
disposed between side walls connecting the opening of the washing
compartment and the rear wall facing the opening of the washing
compartment.
30. The dishwashing machine of claim 22, wherein the coupling has a
dishwashing-machine-side section and a dishwasher-rack-side
section.
31. The dishwashing machine of claim 30, wherein, in relation to
each other, the dishwashing-machine-side section and the
dishwasher-rack-side section are adjustable about three axes
arranged at right angles to each other.
32. The dishwashing machine according to claim 31, wherein a
pivoting movement is executed about at least one of the three
axes.
33. The dishwashing machine of claim 30, wherein the coupling has a
liquid-conducting housing and a sealing element disposed in the
liquid-conducting housing.
34. The dishwashing machine of claim 33, wherein the sealing
element is pivot-mounted in the liquid-conducting housing.
35. The dishwashing machine of claim 33, wherein the sealing
element is pivot-mounted about an axis that extends through an
inlet.
36. The dishwashing machine of claim 33, wherein the
liquid-conducting housing has a stop that limits pivoting movements
of the sealing element.
37. The dishwashing machine of claim 33, wherein the sealing
element is disposed displaceably along an axis in relation to the
liquid-conducting housing.
38. The dishwashing machine of claim 33, wherein the sealing
element has at least one inlet and at least two blanking plugs;
wherein the inlet is connected to one of the at least two openings
to establish the liquid-conducting connection; and wherein at least
one of the two blanking plugs seals another one of the at least two
openings.
39. The dishwashing machine of claim 38, wherein the inlet is
disposed centrally between the blanking plugs.
40. The dishwashing machine of claim 38, wherein the blanking plugs
have inlet bevels.
41. The dishwashing machine of claim 40, wherein, due to the
configuration of the blanking plugs, the inlet bevels are oblique
circular cones.
42. The dishwashing machine of claim 40, wherein, when the inlet
bevels are in contact with the sealing element, the inlet bevels
move the sealing element against the force of gravity.
Description
[0001] The invention relates to a dishwashing machine according to
the preamble to claim 1.
[0002] Known from EP 1 136 030 A1 is a dishwashing machine having a
washing compartment in which is disposed a pull-out dishwasher rack
with which is associated a washing device for applying washing
liquor to items to be washed. To facilitate ease of loading and
unloading of the dishwasher rack, the dishwasher rack may be pulled
out of the washing compartment with a coupling being provided to
establish a liquid-conducting connection between the washing device
associated with the pull-out dishwasher rack and a hydraulic system
of the dishwashing machine, with which, during operation, the
washing liquor can be conveyed by a circulating pump through pipes
to the spraying devices. To this end, a coupling is provided which
is disposed on a connection point on the rear wall of the washing
compartment of the dishwashing machine and which opens when the
dishwasher rack is pulled out and when the dishwasher rack is
pushed back into the washing compartment establishes a
liquid-conducting connection between the hydraulic system of the
dishwashing machine and the washing device. To enable optimum
utilization of the interior space of the washing compartment, the
height of the dishwasher rack is adjustable, i.e. the clear height
of the upper dishwasher rack in relation to the ceiling of the
washing compartment can be adjusted like the clear height between
an upper and a lower dishwasher rack so that it is also possible to
place particularly large objects in the dishwasher racks. It is
also provided that the dishwasher rack can adopt tilt positions
with different height positions on both longitudinal sides of the
dishwasher rack, namely one with a lowered right side and raised
left side and one with a raised left side and lowered right side.
For example, on the right side, the clear height for the upper
dishwasher rack can be raised.
[0003] The object of the invention is to provide a dishwashing
machine with a dishwasher rack with further adaptation options.
[0004] The object of the invention is achieved by a dishwashing
machine having at least one dishwasher rack that is able to adopt
at least two different height positions, a spraying device for
applying washing liquor to items to be washed, the spraying device
being associated with the dishwasher rack, a hydraulic system for
supplying the spraying device with washing liquor and a coupling
with at least two openings for providing a liquid-conducting
connection between the hydraulic system and the spraying device in
the at least two different height positions and at least two tilt
positions.
[0005] The achievement of the object of the invention is
characterized in that one height position and at least two tilt
positions are associated with at least one of the openings for
establishing the liquid-conducting connection. Hence, it is
achieved in a surprisingly simple way that tilt positions are
possible in each of the selected height positions and therefore an
operator is given many more options for adapting the interior space
of a washing compartment to the requirements in question. This
results in a particularly simple design since both a height
position and a tilt position are assigned to at least one opening
and so no additional openings are required to establish a
liquid-conducting connection on the selection of a tilt position.
Here, tilt position should be understood as meaning that a
dishwasher rack is lowered or raised at a first side, for example
the left side, while at the second side, for example the right
side, the height position of the dishwasher rack is unchanged. In a
second tilt position, on the other hand, the right side is lowered
or raised while the left side of the dishwasher rack is unchanged.
Therefore, two tilt positions should be understood to mean the
alternative lowering or raising of a dishwasher rack on both sides
from one height to another height.
[0006] In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that the coupling
has three openings with which three height positions are
associated. This provides a further increase in the possible
variations and adaptations.
[0007] Preferably, it is provided that tilt positions are
associated with at least two openings. This again increases the
adaptability since tilt positions are possible via two differing
height positions and also via three differing height positions
without additional openings being required for this.
[0008] It is further preferably provided that an uneven number of
tilt positions is associated with the two openings. This permits a
particularly simple design in which tilt positions are associated
with one opening via two differing height positions and also via
three differing height positions, while tilt positions are
associated with a second opening only via two differing height
positions.
[0009] Hereby, the ratio of the number of the tilt positions is
preferably one to two. However, other ratios of the number of tilt
positions are also possible, such as, for example three to one.
[0010] Preferably, it is provided in a first embodiment that the
hydraulic system has a dishwashing-machine-side connection point
disposed on a rear wall facing the compartment opening of the
washing compartment. Therefore, the washing compartment has a
front-side compartment opening, which can usually be opened and
closed with a pivot-mounted door attached to the washing
compartment for loading and unloading the dishwashing machine.
Hereby, the arrangement of the dishwashing-machine-side connection
point on a rear wall of the washing compartment [facing] the
compartment opening wall results in a particularly simple design in
which the coupling is separated when, for example, the dishwasher
rack is pulled out of the washing compartment of the dishwashing
machine for unloading.
[0011] In a second, alternative embodiment, it is preferably
provided that the hydraulic system has a dishwashing-machine-side
connector disposed on a side wall connecting the compartment
opening and the rear wall facing the compartment opening or
disposed in a region between the rear wall and a side wall of a
washing compartment of the dishwashing machine, i.e. in a corner
area forming the transitional region between the rear wall and the
side wall.
[0012] It is preferably provided that the connection point is
disposed substantially centrally between side walls connecting the
compartment opening and the rear wall, i.e., the connection point
is substantially disposed on a vertically extending axis of
symmetry of the washing compartment. This permits a particularly
simple embodiment of the coupling.
[0013] It is preferably provided that the coupling has a
dishwashing-machine-side section and a dishwasher-rack-side
section. Hereby, connecting the two-part coupling to different
height positions can enable the dishwasher rack to adopt different
height positions with simultaneously a reliable supply of washing
liquor to the spraying device associated with the dishwasher rack
being guaranteed.
[0014] Preferably, it is provided that the dishwashing-machine-side
section and the dishwasher-rack-side section are embodied
adjustably in relation to each other about three axes at right
angles to each other. A movement along a first axis enables the
coupling to be opened and connected by pulling the dishwasher rack
out or pushing it in. A movement along a second axis enables the
height of the two sections to be adapted to each other when the
height position of the dishwasher rack is changed. Hereby, the
second axis extends in the perpendicular direction or gravity
direction. A movement along a third axis enables the sections of
the coupling to be adapted to each other on the selection of a tilt
position of the dishwasher rack.
[0015] In a preferred embodiment, it is provided that a pivoting
movement may be executed about at least one of the axes. This can
be the movement along the third axis which enables the sections of
the coupling to be adapted to each other on the selection of a tilt
position.
[0016] Preferably, it is provided that the coupling has at least
one liquid-conducting housing and a sealing element disposed in
said housing. Hereby, the liquid-conducting housing establishes a
liquid-conducting connection with the spraying device which is
associated with the dishwasher rack and the sealing element
disposed in the housing ensures that the spraying device is
reliably supplied with washing liquor.
[0017] It is further preferably provided that the sealing element
is pivot-mounted. Hereby, it is also preferably provided that the
sealing element is disposed about an axis extending through the
inlet. This enables the establishment of a reliable sealing
connection between the dishwashing-machine-side section of the
coupling and the spraying device associated with the dishwasher
rack whatever the tilt position adopted by the dishwasher rack.
Hereby, the symmetrical embodiment means that the pivoting angle
required to achieve any tilt position of the dishwasher rack can be
reduced so that the size of the liquid-conducting housing
accommodating the sealing element is reduced. This permits a
particularly compact design.
[0018] To limit the pivoting movement of the sealing element, stop
means are also provided and these can be disposed on the
housing.
[0019] In addition, it is preferably provided that the sealing
element is disposed displaceably along an axis relative to the
housing. Hereby, the axis can extend in the perpendicular direction
so that the displacement of the sealing element relative to the
housing against the gravity direction enables the sealing element
to be positioned to establish a liquid-conducting connection.
[0020] In order to ensure the supply of washing liquor to the
spraying device associated with the dishwasher rack, it is
preferably provided that the sealing element has at least one inlet
and at least two blanking plugs. Hereby, with a closed coupling,
i.e. when both coupling parts are connected to each other, the
inlet is connected to one of the openings and at least one of the
blanking plugs closes off a further opening. In this way, it is
guaranteed that washing liquor can flow through the inlet to the
spraying device associated with the dishwasher rack through at
least one of the two or three openings while the blanking plugs
closes off the other openings. Hereby, the openings can be
associated with the dishwashing-machine-side section of the
coupling. This also has the advantage that, in all the height
positions the dishwasher rack is able to adopt, there is no
hydraulically unfavorable diversion of washing liquor at any
height.
[0021] Preferably, the inlet is disposed centrally between the
blanking plugs, i.e. the blanking plugs and the inlet are disposed
in a row which substantially extends perpendicularly and the
positions of the inlet and the blanking plugs correspond to the
different height positions adoptable by the dishwasher rack, with
the inlet being disposed in the center of this row adjoined by at
least one of the blanking plugs.
[0022] In addition, it is preferably provided that the blanking
plugs have inlet bevels. This facilitates the introduction of the
blanking plugs into one of the openings in the different height
positions of the dishwasher rack, when, for example, the dishwasher
rack is pushed back into the dishwasher container. Alternatively,
however, instead of inlet bevels, it is also possible to use other
positioning means, which also guarantee reliable positioning.
[0023] Preferably, the blanking plugs are embodied as oblique
circular cones, which preferably raise the sealing element against
the force of gravity when the dishwasher rack is pushed in, i.e.
when the blanking plugs come into contact with the openings, and so
ensure automatic positioning. However, the circular cones can also
have other, suitable forms.
[0024] The following will now describe the invention with reference
to the drawings, which show:
[0025] FIG. 1 a schematic representation of a coupling according to
the invention
[0026] FIG. 2 a schematic representation of a liquid-conducting
housing with a sealing element disposed therein in a first
position,
[0027] FIG. 3 the liquid-conducting housing with the sealing
element with a second position and
[0028] FIG. 4 the liquid-conducting housing with the sealing
element in a third position.
[0029] Reference is first made to FIG. 1.
[0030] A dishwashing machine (not shown) has a washing compartment
(not shown) in which is disposed at least one dishwasher rack (not
shown) which may be pulled out on two facing sides (not shown).
Also provided is a height-adjustable mechanism (not shown) enabling
the height of the dishwasher rack to be changed. Provided below the
dishwasher rack, there is a spraying device (not shown) usually
taking the form of a rotating spray arm.
[0031] Below this dishwasher rack, a further dishwasher rack can be
disposed in the washing compartment. In addition, a further
receptacle embodied as a cutlery drawer can be provided above this
dishwasher rack.
[0032] In order to supply the spraying device associated with the
dishwasher rack in every height position, an inlet pipe 34 is
provided which can be connected by means of a coupling 2 in
different height positions to a hydraulic system of the dishwashing
machine. Hereby, the hydraulic system has pipes, control means such
as water dispensers and continuous flow heaters with which washing
liquor can be circulated in washing mode. This means that the
hydraulic system can supply washing liquor that accumulates on the
floor of the washing compartment to the spraying device for
application to the items to be washed with washing liquor.
[0033] To this end, the coupling 2 is formed from a
dishwashing-machine-side section 14 and a dishwasher-rack-side
section 16. Hereby, the coupling 2 is separable so that the
pull-out dishwasher rack can be pulled out of the washing
compartment of the dishwashing machine for loading and unloading
wherein hereby the coupling 2 is open or separated. When it is
subsequently pushed back into the washing compartment, the coupling
2 again establishes a liquid-conducting connection between the
dishwasher-side section 14 and the dishwasher-rack-side section 16
so that, during the subsequent washing process, the hydraulic
system can return washing liquor to the spraying device associated
with the dishwasher rack.
[0034] To facilitate height adjustment, the
dishwashing-machine-side section 14 has a coupling piece 36 of a
feed pipe 32 with three openings 4, 6, 8 disposed centrally on the
rear wall, i.e. the side facing the compartment opening of the
washing compartment between side walls connecting the compartment
opening and the rear wall. This means that the connection point 12
of the coupling 2 is disposed in the region of a vertically
extending axis of symmetry of the washing compartment.
[0035] In addition to the inlet pipe 34, the dishwasher-rack-side
section 16 of the coupling 2 has a housing 18 in which is disposed
a sealing element 20. The sealing element 20 has an inlet 22
disposed along a line forming a liquid-conducting connection 10
with the inlet pipe 34 and four stub pipes 24, 26, 28, 30 disposed
symmetrically above and below along a line to the inlet 22.
[0036] Reference will now be made to FIGS. 2 to 4.
[0037] During the operation of the dishwashing machine, a desired
height position is selected by an operator using the
height-adjustable mechanism when the coupling 2 has been separated
by pulling the dishwasher rack out of the washing compartment. When
it is subsequently pushed back into the washing compartment, in the
present exemplary embodiment, the inlet 22 and two of the blind
stub pipes 24, 26, 28, 30 come into contact with the three openings
4, 6, 8 wherein the inlet 22 with the respective opening 4, 6, 8
forms a liquid-conducting connection 10 between the feed pipe 32 of
the dishwashing-machine-side section 14 of the coupling 2 while the
two other openings 4, 6, 8 are each sealed by two of the blind stub
pipes 24, 26, 28, 30 and two further blind stub pipes 24, 26, 28,
30 do not seal any of the openings 4, 6, 8. In this way, the
present coupling 2 permits a selection between three height
positions of a dishwasher rack, an upper position, in which the
inlet 22 is connected to the opening 4, a middle position, in which
the inlet 22 is connected to the opening 6 and a lower position in
which the inlet 22 is connected to the opening 8.
[0038] In addition, the coupling 2 also permits tilt positions of
the dishwasher rack. A user can set a tilt position of the
dishwasher rack by selecting different height positions at both
sides of the dishwasher rack. Hereby, a tilt position is possible
between the middle and the upper position with one of the two sides
of the dishwasher rack being raised and the other being lowered. In
addition, the tilt position is possible between the middle height
position and the lower height position and between the upper and
the lower height position of the dishwasher rack. This means that,
in addition to the three height positions, six height positions can
be selected in which the dishwasher rack is positioned
obliquely.
[0039] When a tilt position of this kind is selected, the sealing
element 20 is pivoted which to this end is disposed in a pivotable
manner about an axis extending through the inlet 22 into the
housing 18. In order hereby to achieve a reliable closure of the
respective opening 4, 6, 8 by the respective blind stub pipes 24,
26, 28, 30, these are disposed symmetrically to inlet 22 and hence
to the axis extending through the inlet 22. This means, when a tilt
position of the dishwasher rack is selected, the housing 18 is
pivoted while, due to its association with the
dishwashing-machine-side section 14 of the dishwasher, the
alignment of the sealing element 20 remains unchanged.
[0040] To facilitate the pivoting of element 20, longitudinal
guides 42 are also provided, said longitudinal guides being formed
by slots in the housing 18 into which tongues of the sealing
element 20 engage. The movement of the sealing element 20 is
limited by stop means 38 disposed in the housing 18. In addition,
the sealing element 20 in the housing 18 can be disposed along an
axis which, in installed condition, extends into a dishwashing
machine in the perpendicular direction or gravity direction. In the
present exemplary embodiment, the inlet 22 and the blanking plugs
24, 26, 28, 30 are disposed along this axis.
[0041] In order also to facilitate the introduction of the blanking
plugs 24, 26, 28, 30 in oblique positions of the dishwasher rack
when the coupling 2 is brought together again and to ensure
automatic positioning of the sealing element 20, the blanking plugs
are embodied as oblique circular cones, i.e. eccentrically. Hereby,
due to their embodiment as eccentric circular cones, the blanking
plugs 24, 26, 28, 30 have inlet bevels 40 which, on the bringing
together of the coupling 2, effect a raising of the sealing element
20 against the force of gravity so that automatic positioning of
the inlet 20 and the blanking plugs 24, 26, 28, 30 is
guaranteed.
[0042] For example, each of the three height positions is
associated with one of the openings 4, 6, 8. Four of the tilt
positions are associated with the middle opening 6, namely two tilt
positions between the lower and the middle height positions and two
tilt positions between the lower and the upper height positions,
while two tilt positions are associated with the upper opening 8,
namely between the middle and upper height position.
[0043] Hence, a dishwashing machine with a dishwasher rack is
provided with which the number of possible positions of the
dishwasher rack is significantly increased and as a result offer
much greater adaptability to a user's requirements.
LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS
[0044] 2 Coupling [0045] 4 Opening [0046] 6 Opening [0047] 8
Opening [0048] 10 Liquid-conducting connection [0049] 12 Connection
point [0050] 14 Dishwashing-machine-side section [0051] 16
Dishwasher-rack-side section [0052] 18 Housing [0053] 20 Sealing
element [0054] 22 Inlet [0055] 24 Blanking plug [0056] 26 Blanking
plug [0057] 28 Blanking plug [0058] 30 Blanking plug [0059] 32 Feed
pipe [0060] 34 Inlet pipe [0061] 36 Coupling piece [0062] 38 Stop
means [0063] 40 Inlet bevels
* * * * *